It is finally Reggie Carter’s turn.
Three years after he arrived in Westwood, Carter will finally step into the role he relishes ““ the one where he can make all the plays, the one where he can finally gain some recognition.
After appearing in every UCLA game in the last two seasons as a weak-side linebacker, Carter will shift to middle linebacker this season.
“I want to do things that I’ve never done before,” Carter said. “People don’t really know you until you get out there and make plays, and that’s what I want to do.
“I plan on shocking the world.”
As a redshirt junior, Carter is one of the most experienced members of a UCLA defense that lost seven starters from last season. He’ll need that experience. The middle linebacker directs every other player on the field, defensive coordinator DeWayne Walker said.
“No question, I love him,” Walker said. “We knew it this time last year; we knew that Reggie would be the guy to step in.”
Carter broke out at the start of last season, leading a stellar UCLA defense in tackles after five games. A knee injury slowed him during the middle of the season, but he still managed to play in every game and finished with 62 tackles total.
Expect a much higher number this season.
Last year, Christian Taylor finished with 80 tackles, more than any other linebacker.
Because of the defense’s alignment, the middle linebacker is most often in position to make a play.
UCLA has defended the run well in each of the past two seasons since Walker took over as defensive coordinator, and the Bruins must focus on stopping the run again this year. The secondary is inexperienced, and the front seven is the strength of the defense.
Carter and defensive tackles Brigham Harwell and Brian Price will be crucial to the run defense.
All three are confident.
“Reggie can play ball man,” Price said. “He’s always around the ball, so everybody’s confident. We all know he can get the job done.”
Carter said that he knows the strength of Price and Harwell, who weigh in at 300 and 280 pounds., respectively, will allow linebackers to create pressure and penetrate opposing offensive lines.
“I make sure they’re fed every night,” Carter said.
Carter and Price both acknowledged that the Bruin defense has been underrated because of the team’s overall struggles.
That, too, could change this year, Carter said.
“People always like to look at teams that are winning, and lately we haven’t been winning too much,” Carter said. “The team we have this year, if we’re winning, they’re definitely going to notice us.
“We’re going to do some great things. You just wait and see.”
AYERS IMPROVING: Kyle Bosworth and John Hale will likely flank Carter as outside linebackers for the Bruins. But redshirt freshman Akeem Ayers could see the field often.
Ayers, who switched to linebacker after playing defensive end in high school, battled the senior Hale for the starting strongside linebacker position.
Hale’s experience helped him hold onto the spot, but the coaches, and players, like Ayers.
“Akeem is very athletic,” Carter said. “It’s just that he’s young. Once he gets the full grasp of the defense, he’s going to do great things.”
The battle between Ayers and Hale was one of the most intense of fall camp.
“It’s beautiful,” Walker said. “I wish we could have it all across the board. The more competition you have, the more you’re going to get out of each player.”
Ayers said this camp has been much more difficult than last year’s, when he knew he would likely redshirt.
“I have to be on top of everything,” Ayers said. “The team’s counting on me now.”